HIDDEN YORKSHIRE ARTISTS AND WRITERS - WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Over the centuries Yorkshire has produced a long list of internationally recognised artists and writers. Happily some are still with us; others sadly gone from this world, but nevertheless they leave behind a treasure trove of work which we can still enjoy. Sculpture Parks, Galleries, Museums, Libraries all exist to prolong our memory of their creators.

In no order of merit I can list without a great deal if thought some of those writers whose books and poems have inspired me over the years: Alan Bennett, the Bronte family, Ted Hughes, John Braine, Stan Barstow et al. And on the artistic front Henry Moore, David Hockney, Barbara Hepworth, and though born in Penang one who was raised in Barnsley, Ashley Jackson, amongst many others.  I doubt any of us could question the skill and aptitude of any of these highly successful individuals even though we might not include their works amongst our favourites.

Still, I am left wondering what eventually happened to the thousands of works produced by some extremely gifted individuals who never reached the hall of fame.

During the seventies I regularly visited Art Exhibitions mounted in the Valley Gardens at Harrogate and recall amongst those showing their work four people in particular.

The first is Stan Lloyd whose wonderful landscape engravings on vitre and which were originally white on black finally persuaded him to experiment and discover a means of adding colour to them.  Later he produced huge engravings of the planets whilst in regular touch with Nasser in America.  His masterpiece in my view was of the Kirkstall Forge waterwheel which was placed in the reception there in Leeds.

Where are his works now?

  Next was another Stan.  Stan Dollimore whose flamboyant red neck scarf became his trade mark on his many appearances whilst giving entertaining talks throughout the county. His huge landscape oil paintings and especially his images of clouds and water were a joy to behold. Most of his works were sold direct to the public, though many found their way to a wider audience through Harrods Gallery in London.  

Where are his works now?

Another  painter whose work was astoundingly memorable was Ken McBurney and his landscapes, largely developed by applying oils using his fingers and cloths as well as brushes, seemed to evoke the very essence of the Yorkshire moorlands, especially around Haworth. Later he went to live in Germany and from there he painted superb desert landscapes which were equally well respected especially in the Arab world.

Where are his works now?

My final thoughts here are of Doris Chaplin who lived in Leeds and who specialised in painting on silk and produced true to life botanical images, always signing here name in quasi chinese style characters. I recall especially her pictures of geraniums and in particular their leaves.

Where are her works now?

Perhaps my questions may elicit some answers, maybe not, as we are looking at a period of time which happened nearly half a century ago. But it does also beg the question as to how many of us relatively skilful and currently well liked artists and writers will be remembered in future years – and where will all our brilliant works end up.  Please let me know your thoughts on this if you can find time away from being creative.